GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 88, 27 November 1911, Page 5

GENERAL ELECTIONS.

THE PREMIER. (Per Press Association.) Auckland, November 26. The Prime Minister left Auckland for New Plymouth to-day, and returns to Wellington on Wednesday. THE TWO LEADERS’ VIEWS. Atickland, November 26. The Premier is confident that his party will be successful at the general elections.

Discussing the prospects of the Reform Party on Friday, December 7, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr W. F. Massey) stated that judging from his information, there are no less than 24 Government seats in danger, while there are only five Opposition seats that can be regarded as doubtful. !■;

Commenting on this estimate this afternoon, Sir Joseph Ward said that as a general principle a party leader does not give out the expected results in detail prior to a general election. “I am quite satisfied,” he continued, “that the information obtained by the Leader of the Opposition must either be from a very unreliable source, or else, buoyed up with false hopes, to conyey a favourable impression and to excite the sympathy and support of all places that are in doubt. From the information I have received, I can say that if twenty-four Government seats are in danger, then upon that basis of assumption, all tho Opposition seats are in great danger. I think that will be found to be about as accurate as the information that Mr. Massey has received from the source to which he refers. In the ordinary course we must wait until after election day to learn who is more correctly informed. My own opinion is that we are going to win some seats from the Opposition at the present elections.” MR. JAMES ALLEN. Dunedin, November 26. Mr. James Allen addressed about four hundred electors at Palmerston Sjputh last night, in reply to the Prime Minister, and also in support of the Opposition candidate. He said if tho people wanted to clean New Zealand’s politics tho right thing to do was to make a change. He read a telegram from Mr. W. H. D. Bell, stating it was absolutely untrue that ho was opposed to old-age pensions. Mr. Allen denied that he had at any time injured the credit of the Dominion, or that he sent away any Parliamentary returns, etc., to England or elsewhere. If these returns were calculated to do damage to the country’s credit, that damage was being done by their inclusion in the Official Year Book. Mr. Allen’s speech dealt with most of the subjects referred to in the Prime Minister’s recent speech at Palmerston, and was well received. The following motion was carried by acclamation: “This meeting thanks Mr. Allen for his able address, and welcomes Mr. Lee as the Reform candidate.”

A SURPRISING ACTION. mr. Mackenzie"refused use OF A SCHOOL. Eltham, November 27. The Hon. T. Mackenzie was announced to speak at the Mangahume School on Friday afternoon. When lie arrived lie was refused the use of the school building. Mr. Mackenzie, who is Minister for Education, made no complaint, but proceeded to address the people under the shelter of some trees. Rain came on, and the Minister and the people walked a quarter of a mile to a settler’s house, where the address was given under the verandah. Great surprise is evinced at the discourteous action in refusing the use of the school to the Minister. MR. JENNINGS’ CAMPAIGN. (From a Correspondent.) Ohura, November 27. The Ohura portion of the Taumanmni electorate has been visited by Mr W. T. Jennings, M.P., this week. The weather conditions have been exceedingly bad and the roads corresponded. Meetings were held at Gtangiwai, Matiere, Nihoniho, Man.garoa, Tokerima and Tatu, and a visit was paid the men at Tangarakau and have been successful. No doubt the starting of railway work at the northern end has strengthened the candidate’s chances, as some strong Opposition adherents have proposed votes of thanks and confidence owing to the late member being successful ip accomplishing this.